Weinberg ‘heartened’ that Ferriero era is in the past

State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) was one of Joe Ferriero’s biggest critics when he led the party that dominated state’s biggest county. That boosted the reformist credentials that ultimately winning her the spot as Gov. Jon Corzine’s candidate for lieutenant governor.

But Ferriero’s conviction on three corruption counts could give a boost to Corzine’s Republican opponent, former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, whose indictment of the Bergen boss was the last in a storied seven year career of taking down corrupt public officials.

“I am saddened that this took place in the county in which I live and work and represent, and I am heartened that it is all part of our past and not our present and future,” Weinberg said without a hint of schadenfreude. “I didn’t need any vindication on anything. I was vindicated – and that’s your word, not mine – when the voters elected me.”

When asked if she thought the verdict would strengthen Christie’s position in the race, Weinberg said “I think Chris Christie has enough issues to explain about his own behavior.”

‘He’s the one who somehow forgot to file income on his income taxes and on his disclosure forms and somehow managed to always over-spend the government guidelines that he was given for travel,” said Weinberg, referring to interest from Christie’s $46,000 loan to former First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Brown and his stays at posh hotels during business travel.